Dear Fellow Writer,
In this issue:- Can words really save you money?
- Writing books for children - enrol now
- Mind-mapping for business writing
- Beer, wine - and just the right words (these are cool!)
- Student success: Mitch is published AGAIN!
- Emerging writers under 30 - your chance to win
Welcome to 2009! I hope you had a great break over the holidays. I’m really excited about this year - we have so many plans and new products for you, which will be revealed soon. In fact, the first one may be revealed next week - so stayed tuned ...
In the meantime, so many people having been asking my opinion lately on what measures they can take to weather the economy. My answer is to work smarter with the resources you’ve already got. One very powerful tool - which is so underused - is to make your words work for you.
That’s right, pick your words carefully - on your website, marketing materials, media releases and other work documents. Words can persuade, sell and boost your bottom line. But if you don’t use them correctly, they can turn people off!
FACT:
Using the right words can deliver measurable cost savings. You’ll increase sales and decrease costly mistakes caused by confusion.
One workshop that can help you do this is:
Professional Business Writing with Mel Wilkinson
After this one-day seminar, you'll discover the stress-free way to powerful business writing. This practical seminar covers:
- business writing - the golden rules
- how to structure reports and proposals
- the fundamentals of persuasive writing
- tips and rules for stress-free writing
- how to gain the reader's attention
- the 8 step plan to write winning proposals
- the words you should never use
The aim of the seminar is to make your job of writing business documents - including reports and proposals - easier by equipping you with the right tools and rules.
This seminar is ideal for professionals like salespeople, accountants, engineers, marketers and anyone who wants a guideline on how to write well in the workplace.
All participants receive a bonus Sydney Writers’ Centre Editorial Style Guide to the value of $75 when enrolling for the course.
When: Tuesday 3 February 2009 (one day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Fee: $395 (includes GST)
Includes a comprehensive course manual.
For more information or to enroll, click here.
Mind-mapping your business documents
You can ensure your business writing is clear and concise by mind-mapping your ideas before you even put pen to paper (or fingers to the keyboard). This helps you visually plot the key "information blocks" in your document. Too often, readers are confused because information isn't presented in a logical way. But when you mind-map your ideas beforehand, this helps you see where they "fit" with each other.You may already be familiar with the concept but if you’re not ... mind-mapping goes something like this.
1.Start with a blank sheet of paper and write down the key purpose or message of your document.
For example, "Internet strategy recommendations".
2. Think of the key issues related to this message and create a "branch" that radiates out from the centre. These typically become the key TOPICS, chapters or sections in your document.
3. That "branch" may then break into a series of "sub-branches" - these become the SUBTOPICS within each section.
4. You could have many "branches" and "sub-branches" radiating from the centre, depending on how many things you’ve got going on.
This not only helps you capture all the information you need, but also helps you group them into logical sections. It can be a more effective way to plan your document than just starting to write without any structure in mind. You'll find more tips like these in our business writing seminars.
COOL FIND: Beer, wine - and storytime coasters
I love these coasters, which are made in Melbourne. They feature engraved traditional storytime quotes and come in a set of 6.You’ll find quotes like:
“Curiouser and curiouser …”
“But he isn’t wearing any clothes!”
“But the third bed was just right …”
“Fee, Fie, Foe, Fum …”
Can you recognise where they're from?
Love them! You can find them here:
http://www.readersniche.com.au/page3.htm
Student success:
Mitch is published again!I swear former student Mitch Lewis is going to be a major name in the literary world one day. Mark my words. He’s so talented and has just been told that he’s going to be published in the short story anthology Short and Twisted 2009.
Congratulations Mitch - you deserve it!
Writing books for children - can you pen the next Twilight?
Whether Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight or JK Rowling’s Harry Potter is more your bag, the evidence is there - books for young adults or kids equal big business.An interesting point to consider is that you might have what you think is a "grown up" story - but it may actually work better as a young adult novel. To determine whether your story is ideal for this market, do the course Writing Books for Children and Young Adults. The course is presented by Judith Ridge who is one of Australia's leading experts in children's books.
This course in Writing Books for Children and Young Adults will cover:
- How to get started
- Finding the right voice
- Creating characters and stories young readers will enjoy
- Common assumptions about writing for children and about young readers
- Understanding the children's publishing market
What: Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge
When: Every Wednesday for 5 weeks from Wednesday 4 February 2009
Time: 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Cost: $395
For more information or to enroll, click here.
Emerging writers under 30
If you are under 30 and enjoy writing about the arts, then think about entering "Eat Your Words!"This competition is a collaborative writing project designed to foster critical arts writing in Australia. What a great idea!
8 emerging writers will have the opportunity to attend an intensive writing workshop in Brisbane. You’ll find more details on our blog.
Entries close Friday 30 January 2009.
Business and Careers Institute in Milsons Point
Remember to check out our sister training organisation - the Business and Careers Institute - which we've just opened in Milsons Point. Thanks to those of you who have already enrolled in some of the courses! You'll find the same high quality of courses and presenters here.
As you know, I'm a big believer that technology can help you achieve more in less time. If you want to get the most out of everyday software like Word, Excel and Outlook, these fun and interactive courses will help you become a pro-user in just one day.
You can check it out here. I'd love to know what you think!
www.bcinstitute.com.au
Other upcoming courses
Course: Intensive DAYTIME Feature writing for magazines and newspapers with Valerie Khoo - BOOKED OUT - Call us to go on Standby
When: Monday 12 January and Tuesday 13 January 2009 (2 consecutive days)
Time: 10am - 4pm
Fee: $395
Course: Online Creative Writing with Pamela Freeman / Cathie Tasker
When: Week beginning Monday 26 January 2009 for 5 weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Seminar: How to get your book published with Geoff Bartlett
When: Tuesday 27 January 2009 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $75
Seminar: Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett
When: Wednesday 28 January 2009 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $75
Course: Life Writing with Patti Miller - FULL
When: Every Friday starting Friday 30 January 2009 for six weeks
Time: 10am - 12noon
Cost: $450
Course: Online Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Valerie Khoo
When: Week beginning Monday 2 February 2009 for 5 weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Course: Feature writing for magazines and newspapers with Judy Skatssoon
When: Every Monday starting Monday 2 February 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $325
Seminar: Professional Business Writing with Mel Wilkinson
When: Tuesday 3 February 2009 (one day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $395
Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman - FULL
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 3 February 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 4 February 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Writing for the Web with Grant Doyle
When: Thursday 5 February 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.00pm
Cost: $325
Seminar: Media Releases that Get Results with Luisa Volpato
When: Tuesday 17 February 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Fee: $345
Seminar: Editing Essentials with Katrina Lobley
When: Tuesday 24 February 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9:30am - 4:30pm
Cost: $345
Course: Novel Writing Workshop with Pamela Freeman
Evening classes held approximately every six weeks
Course starts: Tuesday 11 March 2008
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $450
Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 24 March 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
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Wishing you much writing success,
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